(SP)CANADA-TORONTO-SOCCER-MLS-TORONTO FC VS ATLANTA UNITED FC
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Province
an hour ago
- The Province
Is Jeevan Badwal a Surrey-born Whitecaps star in the making?
Badwal is in the midst of a very solid first MLS season, having appeared in 17 games across all competitions so far Get the latest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox Vancouver Whitecaps' Jeevan Badwal celebrates his first MLS goal against the Seattle Sounders during the first half in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. From time to time, Jeevan Badwal's father Kam, a goalie, will call up his son, a midfielder for the Vancouver Whitecaps, to relay a piece of defensive advice he has picked up while playing in his men's league games. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Jeevan, 19, smiles as he tells the story about his soccer-loving father. His dad, after all, is why Jeevan is a professional soccer player. His dad introduced him to the game, a game that the younger Badwal has proven to be very, very adept at. 'I'll tell my dad, 'Thanks, but let's leave it to the professionals,'' the MLS rookie quips. Badwal is in the midst of a very solid first MLS season, having appeared in 17 games across all competitions so far this season. A hard-working, hustling midfielder with a deft touch, there is nothing better than what he has experienced so far this season. He has become a handy contributor to a squad that has surprised all, sitting at or near the top of the MLS Western Conference standings all season and also making the CONCACAF Champions Cup final last month. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Badwal's coach, Jesper Sorensen, isn't shy to say he's impressed by what he has seen out of the teenager. 'He's young, but he's setting his foot down in training sessions,' the veteran coach said. 'I think that's important. For a young player, it's not as much to convince me as it is to convince your teammates.' And Badwal is doing an excellent job of that. He has found the perfect coach for his progress, too, he figures. 'He's taught me I can turn quickly and move forward,' he cited as just one example of how he is adding to his game. Minnesota United midfielder Wil Trapp, left, pushes Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Jeevan Badwal on April 27, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. Photo by Adam Bettcher / AP For as long as Badwal can remember, the Vancouver Whitecaps have been an MLS club. The chance to play for the hometown team at the very top of the game in North America has always been there, in a way that hasn't really been the case before. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He played all sports when he was growing up, with hockey and basketball his special passions. 'My mom, Gurinder, wanted me to play those. She didn't know soccer that well,' he recalled. But that early soccer experience stuck. He remembers going to a game when he would have been about seven. He had a broken arm. '(Erik) Hurtado played, I think,' he said, recalling the hard-working striker whose hair was always on show. 'I think they won, too.' The Whitecaps have a long and illustrious history going back five decades, at times sitting at the top of the game in the country as well as the continent, but a sustained existence over a youngster's life time hasn't really been there. After years of investing in their academy, there still aren't many players they can point to as having proven to be successful professionals. Badwal is clearly a product of the system, though. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. From Grade 9 to 12, he attended University Hill Secondary, just down the way from the Whitecaps' training centre at the University of B.C. 'A really bright kid. He would have been class president in another school,' recalled Jeff Hodgson, who heads-up the PE department at UHill and also is the in-school coordinator for the Whitecaps' academy. 'He's just an impressive young man,' said Hodgson, a former player for the UBC varsity men's soccer program. Balwan's younger brother Manav is also in the academy program and has a similar manner to his brother. 'Super kind. Respectful. Great temperament. It's a family thing, clearly. They've been parented well. You can tell they're from a really good family. 'And he's curious by nature, down to be involved in all kinds of things. I won't be surprised if he's successful outside of soccer too.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jeevan Badwal heads the ball against Timothy Tillman of Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images That maturity, that sharpness, is evident at home too. He is roommates with teammate Emmanuel Sabbi, who rates him as an exceptional person to live with. 'I wasn't so mature,' Sabbi said with a laugh. 'There's never any problems (as a roommate). He's a very clean guy.' 'He's a quiet guy. A calm guy. Very loving to be around.' Badwal admits that there are still moments before games on the B.C. Place pitch where he is in awe of where he finds himself. There are jitters now and then. 'But then the game starts and it's all gone. I just play. The same as it ever was.' pjohnston@ Read More News Crime News Soccer Vancouver Canucks
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Charlotte to host MLS All-Star game in 2026 for first time, AP source says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte will host the Major League Soccer All-Star game for the first time in 2026, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made official. MLS commissioner Don Garber is expected to confirm the venue on Wednesday at a news conference in Charlotte. Charlotte FC, owned by Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, was named the league's 28th franchise in 2019 and began play in the league in 2022. The game will be played at Bank of America Stadium, which is also home to the Panthers. Charlotte has recently hosted Copa America and Club World Cup games. This year's All-Star game is set for Austin, Texas, between the MLS All-Stars and the Liga MX All-Stars. The opponents for the 2026 All-Star game will be announced at a later date. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP soccer:
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Vancouver Whitecaps head to Houston looking to regain their winning form
The Vancouver Whitecaps are looking to put their Major League Soccer season back on the rails. After enjoying one of the best starts in team history the Whitecaps have lost two MLS matches in a row and four of their last five. The Whitecaps (11-5-5) hope to get back on track Wednesday when they face the Houston Dynamo (7-10-5) in Texas. The 'Caps will then play their fourth game in 11 days when they battle San Diego FC Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium. The game in San Diego will be Vancouver's third consecutive road game after dropping a 3-0 decision to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night. 'We know that we haven't really been as strong as when we started the season,' forward Daniel Rios said after training this week. 'It's part of every team. We don't panic. 'The way we approach these two (games) is try to get the most possible points. We'll do our best.' Back on May 24 the Whitecaps used a 3-2 road victory over Real Salt Lake to extend their unbeaten streak to 14 games across all competitions and nine matches in MLS play. At the time, Vancouver led the league with a 9-1-4 record for 31 points. Vancouver is 3-4-3 in the 10 MLS games since. The Whitecaps sit third in the Western Conference with 38 points, four back of conference leading San Diego, and have slid to eighth overall in the league standings. In their last four losses the Whitecaps have been outscored 13-4 and have given up three or more goals three times, including a 5-3 defeat by San Diego at BC Place Stadium on June 25. 'Colorado wasn't our best,' defender Tate Johnson said. 'We've got time to fix it. 'We know things have got to be better. We're looking forward to putting together two good games next week.' On a positive note, Vancouver used a goal in the 90th minute July 9 to beat Canadian Premier League side Valour FC 2-1 to win their Telus Canadian Champions quarterfinal. The Dynamo are 2-4 in their last six games and sit 10th in the Western Conference with 26 points. 'We know they're a great team,' said Johnson. 'We know they have a lot of threats, they're very well organized. 'We're going to have to make sure we're able to step up and put together a good performance.' Head coach Jesper Sorensen said his team doesn't need an overhaul, just some tinkering. 'We have to perform at a better level than we've done,' said Sorensen. 'It not just regarding structure and discipline. We have to be tougher and get into the game and start them better.' A question facing the Whitecaps is the status of Ecuadorean midfielder Pedro Vite. The team and Vite had agreed on a contract extension through the 2029 season. But Axel Schuster, Vancouver's chief executive officer and sporting director, said the deal included an agreement the team would take into consideration any offers for Vite from other clubs. It has been reported Mexican side Pumas UNAM have approached the Whitecaps about Vite, who is second on the team with four goals and leads with six assists. 'We have received an offer that we are at least considering,' said Schuster. 'We're focusing on the job that is ahead of us. We have a few days where we will go over this. 'It's a little bit unfortunate but it's also what the business is.' Pumas was one of the teams the Whitecaps beat on their journey to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, which they lost to Cruz Azul 5-0. This report by Jim Morris, The Canadian Press, was first published July 15, 2025.
